Diagnosis of Influenza and Evaluation of Clinical Findings in Child Patients Before the Covid-19 Pandemic and During the Pandemic Period

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Objective Influenza is an important public health problem. They cause severe acute respiratory tract infections, especially in children, people with chronic diseases and immunosuppressed individuals. The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency of Influenza cases and the clinical findings of the patients before the Covid-19 pandemic and during the pandemic period. Material and Methods Patients aged 0-18 years, who applied to Atlas University Medical Faculty Pediatric Emergency and General Pediatric Polyclinics between 01.03.2019 and 11.03.2021 and were diagnosed with influenza, were included in the study. The clinical features of the patients, the rate of hospitalization, complications, the frequency before and during the pandemic, distribution by months were examined. Results 55.6% (n=594) of the cases were male and 44.4% (n=475) were female. The study was completed with a total of 1069 patients. As a result of the study, the most common symptoms were fever (96.5%), cough (51%), fatigue (42%) and nasal discharge (30.8%). 93.2% of the patients belonged to the pre-Covid-19 pandemic period. It was determined that influenza virus peaked in January and influenza B type was seen more frequently during the Covid-19 pandemic period. Conclusion As a result, it was seen that Influenza decreased with the measures taken since the first Covid-19 case was seen.